Drought Watch

Rob's Drought Watch Table

Updated 6:50 AM PST, Thu, Mar 5, 2009

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While some debate the irony of living near the world's largest ocean and we struggle to find enough water to farm and drink - here's a handy guide to keep up-to-date on local and statewide rainfall, snowpack and drought monitor totals.

California Department of Water Resources provides an updated website containing information on the Sierra snowpack surveys, Northern and Southern Sierra rainfall information as well as precip data for other sections around the state:

You can access that link here: DWR Drought Page

www.water.ca.gov/drought/conditions/

Here are some links on our Bay Area reservoirs:

South Bay / Santa Clara Valley

http://www.valleywater.org/Water/Technical_Information/Measures_and_Readings/Rainfall_&_Reservoir_Status_Report.shtm

East Bay

http://www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros/conditions.asp

North Bay

http://www.scwa.ca.gov/about_your_water/water_supply.php

For local/regional rainfall information our local National Weather Service office based in Monterey offers a daily summary of rainfall with percentage of average along with the previous year's rainfall data.

You can find more on local rain totals vs. seasonal averages here: NWS Monterey Climate Summary

www.weather.gov/climate/index.php --> Click on the Bay Area on the national map and select "Regional Summary" (RTP)

What is interesting to note is how at the same point last year entering March - we had nearly 100% of average rainfall yet one of the driest Spring seasons on record tipped us over closer to a drought (that seems likely unless we manage an above average year this year).

While all the recent rain has been a plus - its still the equivalent of tossing a few buckets of water into a large swimming pool thats about 40% full. Unless you keep tossing buckets of water in (from now through early April) we're still well behind. Sustainability of rainfall and storms cold enough to support/build the Sierra snowpack will be crucial to avoiding hefty water restrictions this Summer.

There's still time to make a dent in the drought - let's hope the next eight weeks provide enough precipitation to help out. In the meantime, remember to conserve water where you can. Reduce time spent in the shower, cut back on watering the lawn (with our on/off rainfall you don't really need to water it at all), and sweep dust/debris instead of powerwashing. Every little bit helps!

- Rob Mayeda (staring at the Pacific Ocean and thinks... "desalinization plants anyone?")